Looking for advice

[nybassangler]

hey im not sure where to post this. i currently reside in upstate NY. i am trying to become a volunteer firefighter for my town. i have called the department and they gave me a number to call, i called that no answer left messages no call back, called the department again they sent me to another voicemail box, left messages no call. etc

im trying to figure out what i need to do. i dont wanna sound like a pain in the ***** but im just not sure why im getting a run around to different numbers and no call backs.


also the big question is i have a disorderly conduct charge from when i was a teen. will that stop me>?

[PaladinKnight]

Were you eigh-teen or nine-teen?

If you were 17 or under, then forget it unless you just made parole for murder. A minor charge is sealed and not in your public file. The day you turn 18, everything you do is filed somewhere.

Go down to the station and look at it before you jump. If it looks like a jump yard, you have your answer. If it is clean and well kept, then keep trying.

The number you were given is either the Chief or a Board member.

Be prepared for this.... many fire departments vote new members in, not once, but twice in some cases. The first time is to determine if they want you. The second is after the probation period ends, to determine if they want to keep you.

Personally, I think this method is counterproductive. I tend to believe that if a person wants to join, and they can pass the background check, then you take them on face value and give them a chance. If they don't cut it, they are moved out as a matter of management or executive decision, and not a popularity contest.

So having said that.... pursue it but be on your best behavior. During the probation period, you are to be seen. not heard. Don't enage in hot topics.... stay out of them and see where the dust settles. This doesn't make you a sheep, you simply have not paid your dues so you have no opinion or Right to say anything. Not unless you're ready to make an exit.

[tree68]

Does the fire department have a website? Sometimes that will have membership information and points of contact.

Most counties in NY have a county fire coordinator - check the county phone listings and give them a call. They can't help you get into the FD, but might help you with actually contacting someone.

For that matter, see if there is a listing of county fire departments on that county's website. That's the case with ours.

"Upstate" is a pretty broad statement in NY - pretty much everything from Rockland County north. Northern? Central? Finger Lakes? Western? Southern Tier? Capital Region? Can you be a little more specific as to what area of the state you're in? Maybe a nearby large city?

Like PK says, minor peccadillos aren't usually a major negative, other than arson - which in NY is an automatic disqualifier.

I feel the second vote offers some protection against the you-know-what who is in with the clique but who has offered zero to the fire department in the six months since he (or she) joined. Or has turned out to be a major PITA. There's a few other members I wish we had that option on...

[nybassangler]

Does the fire department have a website? Sometimes that will have membership information and points of contact.

Most counties in NY have a county fire coordinator - check the county phone listings and give them a call. They can't help you get into the FD, but might help you with actually contacting someone.

For that matter, see if there is a listing of county fire departments on that county's website. That's the case with ours.

"Upstate" is a pretty broad statement in NY - pretty much everything from Rockland County north. Northern? Central? Finger Lakes? Western? Southern Tier? Capital Region? Can you be a little more specific as to what area of the state you're in? Maybe a nearby large city?

Like PK says, minor peccadillos aren't usually a major negative, other than arson - which in NY is an automatic disqualifier.

I feel the second vote offers some protection against the you-know-what who is in with the clique but who has offered zero to the fire department in the six months since he (or she) joined. Or has turned out to be a major PITA. There's a few other members I wish we had that option on...

im in green county about 15mins south of albany.

[tree68]

http://www.greenegov.com/department/emergency/index.htm